Internal colonialism

Quick Facts: Who was Internal colonialism?

Subject:

Internal colonialism

Known for:

Systematic exploitation of minority groups within a state, creating regional inequality.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Internal colonialism is the uneven effects of economic development on a regional basis, otherwise known as "uneven development", as a result of the exploitation of minority groups within a wider society which leads to political and economic inequalities between regions within a state. This is held to be similar to the relationship between a metropole and a colony, in colonialism proper. The phenomenon leads to the distinct separation of the dominant core from the periphery in an empire. Robert Blauner is regarded as the developer of the theory of internal colonialism. The term was coined to highlight the "blurred" lines between geographically close locations that are clearly different in terms of culture.

Career & Major Achievements

Some other factors that separate the core from the periphery are language, religion, physical appearance, types and levels of technology, and sexual behavior. The cultural and integrative nature of internal colonialism is understood as a project of modernity and it has been explored by Robert Peckham in relation to the formation of a national modern Greek culture during the nineteenth century, when Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The main difference between neocolonialism and internal colonialism is the source of the exploitation. In the former, the control comes from outside the nation-state, while in the latter it comes from within. The first known use of the concept of internal colonialism was by Marquard (1957) regarding South Africa.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, the concept became popularized following the publication of an article on Mexico by Gonzalez Casanova (1965). Gonzalez Casanova was both critiqued by, and influenced Andre Gunder Frank, who further theorised internal colonialism as a form of "uneven development". Sergio Salvi [it], a poet, essayist, and historian of minority languages, used the term "internal colonies" in the cultural sense in Le nazioni proibite: Guida a dieci colonie interne dell'Europa occidentale ("The forbidden nations: Guide to ten internal colonies of western Europe") (1973), among which he included Catalonia, Scotland, Brittany and Occitania. Other pivotal works on the subject were published during the mid-1970s by Harold Wolpe and Michael Hechter. A common topic amongst postcolonial writers was their description of feelings, such as schizophrenia, being torn between local tradition and global modernity.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1957: 1957 Milestone — The first known use of the concept of internal colonialism was by Marquard (1957) regarding South Africa.
2. 1965: 1965 Milestone — However, the concept became popularized following the publication of an article on Mexico by Gonzalez Casanova (1965).
3. 1973: 1973 Milestone — Sergio Salvi [it], a poet, essayist, and historian of minority languages, used the term "internal colonies" in the cultural sense in Le nazioni proibite: Guida a dieci colonie interne dell'Europa occidentale ("The forbidden nations: Guide to ten internal colonies of western Europe") (1973), among which he included Catalonia, Scotland, Brittany and Occitania.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Internal colonialism

True or False: “Internal colonialism implies that the source of economic control and exploitation originates from outside the nation-state boundaries.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The key difference is that internal colonialism involves exploitation coming *from within* the nation-state, unlike neocolonialism which comes from outside.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Achille Mbembe — Historical peer (Born in 1957) (1957): Cameroonian historian and political theorist known for critiques of colonialism.
• Afrika Bambaataa — Historical peer (Born in 1957) (1957): Pioneering DJ and producer who shaped electro-funk and global hip-hop culture.
• Aamir Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known as "Mr. Perfectionist" in Hindi cinema.
• Aaron Kwok — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Hong Kong performer, celebrated singer, dancer, and actor.
• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.

Frequently Asked Questions about Internal colonialism